Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 10945, Benjamin Eddy, [BLANK]

SERVICE
NUMBER
Eddy, Benjamin Sally
N. 10945
CONTENTS

15. 2 54 White Island
1 Silvano Olaj
Edward in the State of Rhode Island who was a seaman in the Onyx commanded by Captain Burnside of the Dept commanded by Capt Alcock in the Rhode Island line for Simon's  South 7. runner, mate
Invented in the Roll of White Island at the rate of $19 - Dollars - 92 - Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of July 1833 and sent Blanch Conell  Simona  R.I.
It was in the 14th of March 1833 $19. 92 Sem-ant. allowance ending 21 Sept 24. 96 $124. 80
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded, by Henry Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 2 Page 118

321.
Rhode Islands.
Sally Eddy is widow of Benjamin Eddy who was a Gunner in the R. Island Service
Hus d died 19 th Sept. 1845
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 33 Dollars 25 Cents per annum, to commence on the 1st day of March, 1844. 19 th September 1845.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of Jan y 1847. and sent to
Benj t Coowall, Esq. Providence, R. Isl d .
[Act of JUNE 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A, Vol. 2, Page 43.
1882 June 2 - James Eddy 60 y 574 Providence R I - with military family history 1888 March 29 F M Eddy family history Prior
Rep d

Buya Eddy

United States of America
Rhode Island District /c County of Providence.
On this twenty fifth day of April A. D. 1833 personally appeared in open Court, being a Special District Court of the United States within and for said District, now in session Benjamin Eddy a resident of Providence in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged 69 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832, viz:
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated.
This Applicant says he was born at Norwich Landing in the State of Connecticut in 1764 has no record of his birth but what is recorded in the family Bible, when very young his family removed to Providence where he lived when he was called in service and where he has lived ever since the Revolutionary War.
And this Applicant further states, That he enlisted at Boston on board the Sloop Fregate in October in the year 1778 as Gunner's mate by and with the consent of his father, he being at that time 14 years of age. Said Fregate was in the continental service of the United States and was under the command of Capt. Newman Commandant. That soon after his enlistment said Fregate sailed on a cruise and cruised among the West India Islands and captured a large English ship and sent her to Boston. That he continued to serve on board of her during said cruise seven months when she returned to Boston - where he was honorably discharged, having served seven months for which he claims a pension.
And this Applicant further states that in the month of May 1779 his father was drafted as a private in the state Service, but being unable to do duty, he this Applicant took his place and served as a substitute for him and between said May and November following he served at least five months for which he claims a pension.

substitute for him and believe said clay and convenced following he lived at least five months for which he claims a pension.
During this service he was in a company of Artillery, commanded by Capt James Burritt attached to Col Sturtevant's Regiment, For which service he claims a pension. And this Applicant further says that he knows of no persons who can testify to his services, but Richard Eddy whose deposition is here annexed. Tho Revd Mr Wilson and Joseph Rawson were also acquainted with him and can testify in his behalf.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any State. Benjamin Eddy
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and aforesaid
in kind B. Eddy
We James Wilson a Clergyman residing in the City of Provi- dence and Joseph Rawson residing in said city hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Eddy who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 69 years of age; that he is respected and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resi- des, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opin- -ion
James Wilson Joseph Rawson
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court B. Eddy
I Barnard Eddy of Providence in the State of Rhode Island on oath do certify and say that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Eddy of said Providence & have known him from childhood. I remember perfectly well the time when said Benjamin left home to go to Boston to serve on board the Dean on a cruise on board

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court. B. Clancey Atty
I Barnard Eddy of Providence in the State of Rhode Island on oath do certify and say that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Eddy of said Providence & have known him from childhood. I remember perfectly well the time when said Benjamin left home to go to Boston to serve on board the Dean Frigate, he entered as Gunners mate on board said Frigate & was absent over seven months before he returned, he left home in October 1778. & returned about seven months afterwards and as I understand was on board said Frigate during all that time. And I further testify that I also well remember said Benjamin serving as a Substitute for his father in the Militia in the year 1779 in Capt James Burdick's Company & Col Atwell's Regiment.
Barnard Eddy
the April 25 1853
Sworn to in open Court
B. Clancey Atty

also once mentioned said Benjamin Strong as a Substitute for his father in the Militia in the year 1799 in Cpt James Burill's Company & Col Atwell's Regiment
Barnard Eddy
April 25 th 1833
Sworn to in open Court
Barnard Eddy
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the said Applicant, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that James Wilson who has signed the same is a resident in the City of Providence and that Joseph Brown & Barnard Eddy who also signed the same are residents in said Providence and are credible persons, and that their statement entitled to Credit.
W th Benjamin Corvell Clerk of said District Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Eddy for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty sixth day of April A.D. 1833.
Benjamin Corvell Clerk

Sally Eddy

I hereby Certify that Benjamin Eddy of Providence Son of the late Zachariah Eddy and Sally James of Providence were Lawfully Joined together in Marriage on the Eighteenth day of March A 1787 by me the Subscriber Joseph Snow Pastor of the Congregational Church in Providence. Joseph Snow

This certificate is recorded in Book No. 2. Pa. 103.9 the Records of Marriages in Providence Aug. 29. 17 Witness Steph. Hopkins for J. Tillinghast S. Clerk
Very truly yours

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
On this 14 th day of July A.D. 1846 personally appeared before me Josiah Westcott justice of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County. Sally Eddy of the City of Providence was said City aged eighty years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of July 7 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows" that she is the widow of Benjamin Eddy late of said Providence deceased who was a soldier of the Revolution, that when the act of the act of June 7 1832 was passed he applied for & obtained a pension under said act & to the declaration which he made to obtain his pension she refers for the evidence of her claim & right to obtain the same pension And she further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin

Eddy on the eighteenth day of March A.D. 1787, by Rev Joseph Snow as will appear by his original certificate hereto annexed And she further declares that her husband the said Benjamin Eddy departed this life on the nineteenth day of September A.D. 1845 and since then she has remained unmarried she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred & ninety four, to wit at the time above mentioned  Abel Josiah Westcott      Sally H Eddy
Declarations in the case of Benjamin H. Eddy a full 1866. (I have all of your papers in the Island) Sally Eddy and read as the law the health of the above mentioned by her signed I further certify that by reason of old age and infirmity she is unable to attend Court I also certify that she is a credible person Josiah Westcott 1866. Phoebe

Elizabeth Eddy of the City of Providence aged 40 years, do certify & say that Sally Eddy who has signed & sworn to the the preceding declaration is my mother in Law, her husband the said Benja- min Eddy died on the 19 th of September 1845 & since that time she has remained a widow Elizabeth Eddy
Sworn up in the City of Providence this 13 th day of July 1846. Personally appeared Elizabeth Eddy and made oath to the above State- ment her Subscribed and I certify that she is a credible witness. Benjamin Josiah Westcott J. G. L. Ph.

No 25132
Benjm Eddy Providence Rhode Island
Gunn's Malt-Infant Clean - 7 Months Pint 5 " 12
475 33.25 16.17 49.92 28 558 175 73.25
Benjm Caull Adget Providence R. Island

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
1837
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
Rhode Island
A Statement, showing the Service of Benjn Eddy Providence Co.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlisted Oct 1778 on board the Done Frigate - 7 Gunner Mate Capt Hoonmon Capt Burrell 69 years at Boston Witnesses stated credible by the Court for 1778-79 and credible evidence stated by the Court as traditional   Sub May 79 until 80 - 5 private Col Stuart  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the years, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [e] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [a] note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
John W. Ashton

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16945 Sally Eddy widow of Benjamin Eddy born N. J. June
Act: June 17th /84 Index:—Vol. 11 , Page 109
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Providence Dec 29 1846
Sir
In answer to your letter of Dec 20 of last respecting the claim of Sally Eddy widow of Benjamin I have to state that I have shown the lady the contents of your letter & she says she is unable to produce any further evidence of her husband's services in Capt James Barrill's Co, not a person is living who served in that company yet it is well known that Capt James Barrill did command a company of Militia here in the war of the Revolution. I should suppose according to the second section of the act of May 7, 1846, Mrs Eddy ought to be allowed for the services of her husband in that company. There is no reason to suppose, but her husband made out his declaration according to the facts in the case & if more evidence had been required than he could have produced it, but all the witnesses are dead - I hope under such circumstances her claim may be allowed for the time her husband served in this company. If not she must take up with the 7 months or more the Dean Knight

which is admitted There are no Rolls of Militia service in the State Department There, of course no further proof of service in Capt Burill's, & can be produced from that source.
I am respectfully your obed Servt Benja Cowell
Ed Edwards, Esq.

Sir
Providence July 17 1846
I herewith enclose the application of Sally Eddy widow of Benjamin for a pension under the act of July 7 1838
I am respectfully yours Benja. Cowell
J. L. Edwards, Esq.

12638 Sally Ladd 415 Widow of Benjamin R.I. act 7 July 1838
Married 178, husband died 19 Sept 1845 Rejected
act '44 - admitted 7 mo? Gurney's male $33.25 per annum, from 19th Sept. 1845, when husband died.
Benj. Lowell, Esq. Providence R.I.

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations. Providence, S.S.
I, Albert G. Greene, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Providence, in the County of Providence, and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Francis Marshall, who has signed the two accompanying Certificates, is a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for said County duly elected.
In Attestation whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and here affixed the seal of said Court, the 13 th day of July, A.D. 1876.
Albert G. Greene, Clerk.